The overworld of SMWCP2 was a very ambitious endeavor when it was first conceived. An entirely customized overworld with new graphics, world-specific music, with little to no trace of vanilla overworld elements left. However, Overworld hacking has changed quite a lot since 2011. Now we have access to Overworld ExAnimation, two entirely new graphics slots, and overworld sprites. This means we have additional space to draw more graphics for specific worlds or levels, or embellish the overworld with sprite details.
This is how the SMWCP2 overworld looks right now, for reference.
One critique of the current overworld comes from Rameau's Nephew, and this is what he said about each map:
-The main map is good, but due to the aforementioned advancements in OW hacking we have now we can afford to spice it up some more.
-World 3 (Eastern) is good enough and is dazzling. A few more details to emphasize its theme wouldn't hurt though.
-World 6 (Carnival) is good, but it needs a graphical overhaul since the stone platforms should be a wooden boardwalk instead. Also the roller coasters are too linear and could do with looking a bit more interesting.
-World 7 (Sky) isn't bad, but it is a bit disappointing to him.
-World 8 (Fire/Ice) was originally meant to be mirrored between the fire and ice halves of the world, according to him. The map doesn't really look too good or have much power as the penultimate world.
-Worlds 9 (Factory) and 10 (Secret) should be redone, since both of them look very crammed together just to represent levels without looking like what they're supposed to be.
There have been more comments from others about the overworld, but his were more thorough and detailed enough to add here.
Discord discussions have popped up involving the overworld, and some suggestions included making the World 10 map change as you go further down the map via ASM, adding roller coaster cart sprites on the World 6 map, making exanimated shores for the main map and World 3 submap, etc. Katrina has also returned to help draw and update the graphics she made for the SMWCP2 overworld, and is taking suggestions.
If you want to make more suggestions or discuss how to improve this overworld map further, feel free to add them here.
This is how the SMWCP2 overworld looks right now, for reference.
One critique of the current overworld comes from Rameau's Nephew, and this is what he said about each map:
-The main map is good, but due to the aforementioned advancements in OW hacking we have now we can afford to spice it up some more.
-World 3 (Eastern) is good enough and is dazzling. A few more details to emphasize its theme wouldn't hurt though.
-World 6 (Carnival) is good, but it needs a graphical overhaul since the stone platforms should be a wooden boardwalk instead. Also the roller coasters are too linear and could do with looking a bit more interesting.
-World 7 (Sky) isn't bad, but it is a bit disappointing to him.
-World 8 (Fire/Ice) was originally meant to be mirrored between the fire and ice halves of the world, according to him. The map doesn't really look too good or have much power as the penultimate world.
-Worlds 9 (Factory) and 10 (Secret) should be redone, since both of them look very crammed together just to represent levels without looking like what they're supposed to be.
There have been more comments from others about the overworld, but his were more thorough and detailed enough to add here.
Discord discussions have popped up involving the overworld, and some suggestions included making the World 10 map change as you go further down the map via ASM, adding roller coaster cart sprites on the World 6 map, making exanimated shores for the main map and World 3 submap, etc. Katrina has also returned to help draw and update the graphics she made for the SMWCP2 overworld, and is taking suggestions.
If you want to make more suggestions or discuss how to improve this overworld map further, feel free to add them here.